Objective: This opportunistic natural study investigated the effects of relocation of office

workers from a 30-year-old building to a new purpose-built building. The new buildingincluded an attractive central staircase that was easily accessed and negotiated, as well asbreakout spaces and a centralised facilities area. The researchers aimed to determine theimpact of the purpose-built office building on the office workers’ sedentariness and level ofphysical activity.

Method: In 2013, a natural pre-post study was undertaken with office-based workers in their

old conventional 1970s building and on relocating to a new purpose-built ‘activity permissive’building. Objective movement data was measured using accelerometers. Anthropometric anddemographic data was also collected.

time (T1 = 84.9% to T2=79.7%; p<0.001) and increased their percentage of daily standing time

(T1=11.2% to T2 17.0%; p<0.001) in the new building. Moderate activity significantly declined

(T1=3.9% to 3.2%=T2; p=0.038). There was a significant decrease in mean minutes of sitting

time (19.62 minutes; p<0.001) and increase in standing time (22.03 minutes; p<0.001).

Conclusions: The design of a building can influence activity. This opportunistic study on the

impact of workplace relocation on office-based workers’ activity showed modest positiveoutcomes in sitting and standing. Evidence is required to inform building design policy andpractice that supports physical activity and reduces levels of sedentariness in the workplace.